STRAIGHT from the catwalks and into the shops - the latest fashion craze to sweep York are "skousers".

The all-in-one garment - a short skirt worn over wide-legged trousers - is proving especially popular with the city's fashion-conscious youngsters.

Victoria Clark and Emma Harrison, a "skouser" fan through and through, took to the streets and shops to find out if people found the new trend stylish - or just plain stupid.

"For young people they're one of the biggest fashion statements this season," said Beverley Paylor, deputy manager of Dorothy Perkins, in Coney Street.

And in Tammygirl, which specifically caters for young trend-setters, the skousers or "skirt-trousers" are currently one of their best selling lines.

Kylie Wilkins, who works in the shop in Coney Street, said: "I think they look quite smart. Some of the mums roll their eyes when they see what their girls are trying on, but once they get them on they are generally quite impressed."

One head teacher was not quite as enthusiastic when students started to turn up to school sporting the latest look.

Phil Beever, head teacher at Brayton High School, in Doncaster Road, Selby, said: "We have had a few pupils wearing them and what we have told them is that we want to keep to our school uniform code which states girls can wear either skirts or trousers but not both at once.

"If we changed our uniform to keep up with every new fashion design, it would be hard for both parents and children to keep up."I'm not against fashion trends in general but we have a school uniform which is simple, smart and inexpensive for parents to buy and we want to keep it that way

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